TONASKET – Due to the highly contagious outbreak of EHV-1, or equine herpes, which has hit the Western United States, there will be no horses at this weekend’s Tonasket Founders Day Rodeo.

“EHV-1 is a very dangerous thing so we’re erring on the side of safety and asking everyone to leave their horses at home,” Tonasket Comancheros President Mike Stansbury said.

Without horses, there will be no youth arena events or barrels and poles this year and the 4D Open Barrel races have been canceled. Rhonda Colbert said she was not sure if or when these events would be rescheduled, though she expressed hope they would be as they have been annual events for many years.

The annual kids’ games night will be on Thursday, June 2 with the barbecue beginning at 5 p.m. and the games beginning at 6 p.m. The price for the barbecue is $9 for adults, $5 for children six-years-old to 12-years-old and free for children under six-years-old.

The first night of the Jeremy Ives Memorial Open Bull Riding will be on Friday, June 3 at 7 p.m. with the second night being on Saturday, June 4 at 7 p.m.

“We’re adding a junior steer riding event and we’re putting up some purse money for that,” Stansbury said. “We’re also adding a wild ride with the guys in costume and sending out eight riders at once and the crowd will vote on the winner.”

The price for the rodeo is $12 for adults, $8 for children six-years-old to 12-years-old and free for children under six. Presale tickets are available in Tonasket at The Junction, Superior Auto Sales, II Sisters and the Eagles and also in Omak at Trail of Dreams.

“There’s a two-day package with a $2 discount if you buy presale tickets,” Stansbury said. “We’re also featuring Budley the Clown, who will also perform music at the barbecue on Thursday.”